The Yawara Stick



From Yawara.com:
The Yawara Stick designed by Frank Matsuyama was easier to use than the night stick issued to police at the time. It was also easily consolable, making it popular with plain clothes officers as well. Most police officers in the late 1940's and early 1950's were ex-service men with at least basic knowledge of hand-to-hand combat, many were experts in jujitsu, judo, or boxing. The Yawara Stick was recognized by these street savvy cops as the officers best friend next to his service weapon.

The Yawara Stick was developed from the Tanto jitsu or knife fighting techniques contained within Yawara jitsu, specifically, the technique of using the knife still sheathed. The Tanto's wooden sheath was prone to swelling when moistened by rain or perspiration, sometimes making it impossible to draw. Also the samurai needed a less lethal weapon to deal with situations which didn't warrant a throat cutting, such as capturing a prisoner. Because of these and other considerations, various methods of combat were devised, usually with the samurai using the same grip and stances shown in the manual.

Read the Yawara Stick Manual by Frank Matsuyama.